Self-adjusting switch



Julx 156, 1968 M. J. BASSO 3,393,281

SELF-ADJUSTING SWITCH Filed June 1, 1967 INVFNTOR.

United States Patent O 3,393,281 SELF-ADJUSTING SWITCH Michael J. Basso,7642 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48202 Filed June 1, 1967, Ser. No.647,288 9 Claims. (Cl. M10-61.62)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electric switch assembly -comprising abody member adapted to be xedly mounted on a stationary grounded support.structure and defining a central opening within which an elongated,substantially cylindrical support tube is adjustably mounted. The tubesupports an elongated plunger member for reciprocal movement betweenopen and closed positions wherein terminal means disposed on one end ofthe -plunger member are biased into and out of engagement with contactmeans mounted on the support tube, the terminal means being arrangedsuch that the subject switch assembly may be operatively associated withboth grounded and non-grounded type electrical circuits.

Cross references to related applications This invention relatesgenerally to switch assemblies of the type disclosed in the rapplicantsPatent No. 2,921,- l55,.issued lan. 12, 1960, and in the applicantscopending application, Ser. No. 479,176, led Aug. 12, 1965.

Background of the invention One particularly troublesome problem ininstalling switch assemblies which operate lighting or other electricalcircuits in response -to opening and closing movement of vehicle closuremembers such as are found in automotive vehicles, namely, main doors,glove and luggage compartment doors and the like, is the irregularclearance that exists between the various door members and theirrespective supporting sections or frame members of the vehicles, theclearance between any two similar doors and their respective openingsusually being appreciably different under normal mass productionassembly conditions. Since such clearance space between the doors andthe frames therefore determine the particular manner in which the switchassemblies are operatively installed, it is desirable to provide alswitch assembly which is characterized by universality of installationand is thus adaptable for mounting where various amounts of clearanceexists between the doors and associated frames.

The aforementioned patent and copending application disclose; switchassemblies which have been found to be particularly suited forv theabove installation conditions by virtue of any adjustable featurewherein the switches are automatically self-adjusted for the clearancethat exists between a particular door and its associated frame when thedoor is moved in a predetermined manner; however, the switch assembliesdescribed in the aforesaid patent and application have had one drawbackwhich has limited universal application thereof. In particular, theswitch assemblies described in the Patent No. 2,921,- 115 are of thegrounding type wherein a portion of the switch is grounded to thevehicle body and -actuation of the switch results in a terminal having acurrent carrying conductor connected thereto being moved into engagementwith the grounded portion of the switch to complete an electricalcircuit. Thus the patented switch is particularly, although notnecessarily, limited to ground-type automotive vehicle electricalcircuits. Conversely, the aforementioned pending application is directedtoward a throughtype switch assembly wherein -actuation of the switchreresults in two or more terminals being biased into en- Patented July16, 1958 -gagement with a common conductor member whereby to complete acircuit between the various conductors connected to the terminals.Accordingly, the switch assembly disclosed in the subject pendingapplication is intended, although not so limited, to be used innon-grounded type vehicle electrical circuits.

Because certain automobile manufacturers are presently producing`automobiles incorporating grounded-type electrical circuits, whileother manufacturers are producing automobiles having non-grounded typecircuits, it has heretofore been necessary, in order to supply allswitch requirements, to produce, store and distribute both of theafo're-described types of switch assemblies, resulting in objectionablyhigh manufacturing, inventory and distribution expenses. The presentinvention is intended to overcome such objections through the provisionof a novel switch assembly which combines the features of both the abovedescribed grounded and non-grounded type switches, as well as thefeature of self-adjustment, in a single, unitized switch assembly.

Summary of the invention This invention relates generally to electricswitch assemblies which have an adjustable mounting feature adaptingthem for a wide variety of different types of installations. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to switch assemblies of the typedisclosed in the aforementioned patent and copending application, andwhich incorporates cooperative terminal and contact means adapting the.assembly for use in both grounded and nongrounded type of electricalcircuits. Accordingly, the provision of a new and improved universallyapplicable switch assembly constitutes a primary object of the presentinvention.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a newand improved switch assembly which may be used in either grounded ornon-grounded types of vehicle electrical circuits.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved switch assembly of the labove character which isself-adjusting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved switch assembly of the above character which is of a simpledesign, is easy to assemble, and economical to commercially manufacture.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved switch assembly of the above character which is of a ruggedconstruction and is thus reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE l is a top elevational view ofthe improved switch assembly of the present invention, as illustrated inoperative association with fragmentary portions of an automobile doorand its associated supporting frame, the door being shown in arelatively open position;

FIGURE 2 is a top elevational View of the improved switch assembly ofthe present invention shown in operative association with the door anddoor frame portions illustrated in FIGURE l, the door being shown in arelatively closed position;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exemplaryembodiment of the improved switch assembly illustrated in FIGURE l, astaken substantially along the line 3 3 thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross-sectional View of the switch assemblyillustrated in FIGURE 3, as taken substantially along the line 4-4thereof; and

3 FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross-sectional View of the switch assemblyillustrated in FIGURE 3, as taken substantially along the lineS-Sthereof Detailed description of the invention For convenience ofdescription, the terms inwardly and outwardly will have reference to thegeometric center of the switch assembly of the present invention and thevarious component parts thereof. Likewise, the terms forwardly, andrearwardly and derivatives thereof will have reference to the switchassembly of the present invention as shown in FIGURE 3, with the forwardend of said assembly being located at the left side of this figure.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 2 of the drawing, a switch assembly 10,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, isshown in operative association with a closure member 12 that is at leastpartially supported upon an associated frame member 14 Aby means of asuitable hinge means 16. The particular closure member illustratedherein is a vehicle door of the type commonly found on automotive andtruck vehicles, and which is adapted to be pivoted about a verticalhinge axis delined by a hinge pintle or pivot section 18 of the hingemeans 16 from the open position illustrated in FIGURE l to the closedposition illustrated in FIGURE 2. The switch assembly is adapted to beoperatively mounted on a transversely extending door jamb section 20 ofthe frame member 14 and be selectively engaged by a transverselyextending :side portion 22 of the door or closure member 12 when themember 12 is biased to the closed position, whereby to selectively openand close the particular electrical circuit or circuits with which theswitch assembly 10 is operatively associated, as will hereinafter bedescribed.

Referring now in detail to the construction of the switch assembly 1t),as illustrated in FIGURES 3 through 5, the assembly 10 includes a bodymember 24 having an externally threaded shank `section 26 that isadapted to be threadedly received within a suitable aperture 28 in thejamb section 20, the forward end of the body member 24 being formed witha hexagonally-shaped head section 30 that is formed integral with theshank section 26 .and denes a plurality of wrench-engaging facets 32 forfacilitating mounting the body member 24 within the aperture 28 by meansof a suitable wrench-type tool or the like. If desired, the shanksection 26 may be slightly tapered so as to be self-tapping wheninserted within the aperture 28, the body member 24 preferably beingadvanced into the aperture 28 until the head section 30 thereof abutsagainst the forward face of the door jamb section 20, as illustrated inFIGURE 3.

As best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, the body member 24 is formed with acentral longitudinal `bore 34 which has a uniform diameter and extendscompletely through the member 24. Extending coaxially through the bore34 is an elongated cylindrical plunger member 36 which has an enlargeddiameter head section 38 formed at the forward end thereof, the section38 including a radially outwardly extending flange or shoulder portion40 on the forwardmost end thereof. The plunger member 36 is supportedfor reciprocal movement relative to the body member 24 within anelongated thin walled support tube 42 which has an inner diameterslightly larger than the diameter of the head section 38 of the plungermember 36 so that the member 36 is free to move toward the right end ofthe tube 42 until the shoulder portion 40 `abuts against the forward endof the tube 42. The rearward end of the support tube 42 is formed withan internal annular groove which is provided by diverging and convergingfrustoconical sections 44 and 46, respectively.

As best seen in FIGURE 4, the `support tube 42 is formed with aplurality of axially extending deformed portions or faces 48, the medialportions of the faces 48 being spaced radially inwardly from the innerperiphery of the bore 34, whereby the portions of the tube 42interjacent the faces 48 are in tight frictional contact with the innerperiphery of the bore 34, as seen at 50 in FIG- URE 4, The dimensions ofthe tube 42 and bore 34 are such that upon assembly of the tube 42within the bore 34, substantial force, for example, approximately 50pounds, is required to move the tube 42 axially within the bore 34.Thus, for all practical purposes, the tube 4-2 and `body member 24 arefixedly secured to one another until such time as a relatively largeforce is applied against one of these members to move the same relativeto the other of said members.

A helical return spring S2 extends coaxially within the tube 42 and ispositioned around the outer periphery 0f the plunger member 36, theforward end of the spring 52 abutting against the -rear end of theplunger members head section 38, the opposite (rearward) end of thespring 52 being seated against a radially inwardly extending portion 54formed on the rearward end of the converging section 46 of the tube 42.The spring 52 is sufciently long so that it is maintained in a slightstate of compression within the tube 42, thus the spring 52 continuouslyresists movement of the plunger member 36 toward the rearward end of thetube 42.

Mounted on the rear end of the plunger member 36 is a terminal mountingblock 56 which is preferably constructed of nylon or othernon-conductive material such as molded plastic or the like, and isadapted to secure a plurality of generally arcuate terminal members tothe rear end of the plunger member 36. More particularly, as `best seenin FIGURES 4 and 5, a plurality of axially extending terminal members58, y6i) and 62 are mounted within suitable complementary (arcuate)shaped openings 64 which are formed in the terminal mounting block 56.The terminal members 58, 60 and `62 may be formed with upstruck earportions (not shown) and be press-fitted within the openings -64 or,alternatively, be molded within the mounting block 56, The rear ends ofthe terminal members 58, `60 and 62 may have suitable apertures formedtherein for receiving the ends of electrical conductors (not shown),these ends of the conductors preferably being soldered or similarlyxedly secured to lthe terminal-s 58, y60 and l62 in any manner wellknown in the art. As shown in FIGURE 5, the terminal members 58, `60 and62 are equally circumferentially and radially spaced from each other andfrom the axis of the plunger member 36. The mounting :block 56 isadapted to -be tixedly secured to the rear end of the plunger member 36by means of having an externally knurled or serrated end section 66 ofthe plunger member 36 be pressed-fitted within a suitable axiallyextending bore 68 formed in the forward side of the mounting block 56.As best seen in FIGURE 3, the forward side of the mounting yblock 56 isformed with an integral elongated tubular or sleeve section 70 whichextends around the outer periphery of the rear end of the plunger member36 interjacent the inner periphery of the inwardly extending portion 54of tjhe tube 42 and the outer periphery of the plunger mem- Asillustrated in FIGURE 3, mounted on the rearward end of the support tube42 is a generally radially outwardly extending member 72 which defines atapered 0r converging Contact surface 74 at the rearward side thereof.The member 72 is adapted to be soldered or similarly fixedly secured tothe rearmost end of the support tube 42 and denes an axially extendingbore 76 which is aligned with the interior of the support tube 42 andthrough which the plunger member 36 and sleeve section 70 of theterminal mounting block S6 extends. The member 72 is preferablyconstructed of brass or similar conductive material and is formed withan annular contact support section 78 which extends rearwardly from themember 72 and is adapted to support an annular contact element 80 andinsulating member 82. It will be noted that the diameter of the bore 76,and hence the interior of the support section 78, is slightly largerthan the outer diameter of the sleeve section 70 of the mounting blocky56, whereby the plunger member `36 and mounting block 56 will be freelyreciprocable relative to the member 72. As best seen in |FIGURE 5, theinsulating member 82 is formed with a central bore 84 through which thesupport section 78 of the member 72 extends. The member 82 is preferablyconstructed of nylon or other non-conductive material such as plastic,and may be molded directly on the support section 78. The rear end ofthe section 78 may be formed with a swaged or diverging retainingportion 86 for ixedly securing the insulating member 82, and hence thecontact element 80, on the member 72.

The contact element 80 is of a generally annular configuration'and ismounted around the outer periphery of the insulating member 82, thecontact element 80 preferably being fabricated of brass or similarconductive material. The element 80 is xedly secured to the member 82 byhaving a forward end portion 88 thereof deformed or crimped radiallyinwardly over the forward side of the insulating member 82, and the rearend portion 90 thereof tapered radially inwardly and rearwardly over therear end of the insulating member 82. As illustrated, the end portion-90 defines a frusto-conical contact surface 92 against which theterminal members 60 and 62 are adapted to engage, as will hereinafter bedescribed.

As best seen in FIGURE 5, an arcuate section of both the contact element80 and insulating member 82 is removed from the uppermost portions ofthese members, whereby to define a radially inwardly extending recessedportion 94 which is axially aligned with the terminal member 58.l Withthis construction, upon forward movement of the terminal mounting block56, the terminal member 58 will move through the recessed portion 94without contacting either the insulating member 82 or contact element80. The length of the terminal member 60 and 62 are such that when theswitch assembly 10 is in the actuated position illustrated in FIGURE 3,the forward ends of the terminal members -60 and 62 concomitantly engagethe contact surface 92 of the element 80; however, the terminal member58 is somewhat longer so that when the switch assembly is in theactuated position shown in FIGURE 3, the forward end of the member 58engages the contact surface 74. It may be noted that the taperedconstruction of the contact surfaces 74 and 80 is highly desirable inthat such a configuration provides for positive engagement of theterminal members 58, 60 and 62 with the members 72 and 80. It will alsobe noted that for certain types of operative installations, the member72 may be omitted by mounting the contact member 80 and insulatingmember 82 directly on the rearward end of the support tube 42, such aconstruction requiring that the terminal member 58 be mounted radiallyinwardly from the position shown herein so that the forward end thereofengages the frusto-conical section 46 on the rearward end of the tubel42 when the switch assembly 10 is actuated.

It will be seen from the above described construction that the contactsurfaces 74 and 92 and the forward ends of the terminal members '58, 60and 62 are adapted to function as switch terminals in the electricalcircuit controlled by the switch assembly 10. More particularly, it willbe seen that the spring 52 normally forces the plunger member 36 towardthe forward end of the support tube 42, whereby the forward end of aterminal member 58 is biased into engagement with the contact surface 74and the forward ends of the terminal members 60 and 462 are biased intoengagement with the contact surface 92. At such time as the plungermember 36 is depressed, i.e., moved rearwardly or toward the right inFIGURE 3, the terminal member 58 will be disengaged from the contactsurface 74 and the terminal members 60 and 62 will be disengaged fromthe contact surface 92.`

It will be seen that the switch assembly 10 of the present invention maybe used in either grounded or nongrounded type vehicle electricalcircuits. More particularly, when it is desired to utilize the switchassembly 10 in a grounded-type electrical circuit wherein the chassis ofthe associated vehicle comprises the ground conductor, only the terminalmember 58 is utilized by having the current carrying conductor connectedthereto. During such time as the plunger member 36 is depressed, i.e.,when the vehicle door 12 is closed, the terminal member 58 will bedisengaged from the contact surface 74 so that the electrical circuitcontrolled by the switch 10 remains open; however, as such time as theplunger member 36 is released, i.e., moves forwardly upon opening of thedoor 12, the terminal member 58 will engage the contact surface 74 tocomplete the circuit between the current carrying conductor and thechassis of the vehicle. Conversely, at such time as it is desired toutilize the switch assembly 10 in a non-grounded type circuit, that is,solely as a through-type switch, for controlling a circuit between twoconductors, the conductors are connected in the usual manner to theterminal members I60 and 62. At such time as the plunger member 36 isdepressed, the forward ends of the terminal members l60 and `62 will bedisengaged from the contact surface 92 to maintain the circuit openingbetween the conductors; however, when the plunger member 36 is moved tothe position indicated in FIGURE 3, the forward ends of the terminalmembers 60, 62 will engage the contact surface 92 of the element 80,whereby to complete the circuit between the terminal members 60, 62 andhence between the conductors connected thereto. It will be noted thatthe switch assembly 10 may not only be used independently in the abovetype electrical circuits, but also may be used simultaneously in bothgrounded and non-grounded type circuits.

By way of example, the switch assembly 10 of the present invention isadapted to be installed on the jamb section 20 of the frame member 14 byhaving the threaded shank section 26 of the body member 24 threadablymounted within the aperture 28 in the jamb section 20. Upon initialinstallation of the switch assembly 10, the support tube 42, togetherwith the plunger member 36 which is supported therein, is disposed inthe position illustrated in FIGURE l, the support tube 42 beingwithdrawn from the body member 24 such that the shoulder portion 40 ofthe plunger member 36 is spaced a maximum distance from the body member24. The closure member or door 12 is then biased to the closed positionillustrated in FIGURE 2 to automatically position a plunger member 36 atthe desired distance from the switch actuating side portion 22 of thedoor 12 in the following manner. Upon closing the door 12, the sideportion 22 initially contacts the head section 40 of the plunger member36 and b iases the section 40 toward the right against the resistance ofthe spring 52 to a position where the section 40 engages the forward endof the support tube 42. Upon continued closing movement of the door 12,the force of the door 12 against the plunger members head section 40progressively moves the member 36, along with the support tube 42,longitudinally toward the right within the bore 34 of the body member 24until the door 12 has been fully closed, at which time the support tube42 and plunger member 36 are disposed in the position illustrated inFIGURE 2. When the door 12 is in this closed position, the plungermember 36 is depressed and maintains the left ends of the terminalmembers 58, 60 and 62 spaced from the contact surfaces 74 and 80 andthus the electric circuit(s) controlled by the switch assembly 10 isopen. When the door member 12 is biased to the open position illustratedin FIGURE l, the return spring 52 functions to bias the plunger member36 forwardly, thereby causing the forward ends of the terminal members58, 60 and 62 to engage the contact surfaces 74 and 80' whereby thecircuit(s) controlled by the switch 10 is closed.

It will be seen from the above described description of thefpresentinvention that the switch 10 combines the feature of the grounded andnon-grounded type switch assemblies described in Patent No. 2,921,151and in copending application Ser. No. 479,176, respectively, so that asingle switch can be operatively associated with all types of electricalcircuits presently being used in automotive vehicles. Moreover, theswitch assembly 10 incorporates the novel self-adjusting featuresdisclosed in the aforesaid patent and pending application, with theresult that the switch assembly 10 will find no-t only universality ofapplication, but ease of installation and freedom from maintenance.Furthermore, the switch assembly 10 will be found to be extremelysimple, yet rugged in design and will thus be easy to assemble,economical to manufacture and durable in operation.

While it will be apparent that the exemplary embodiment illustratedherein is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it willbe appreciated that the switch assembly 10 of the present invention issusceptible to modification, variation and change without departing fromthe proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switch assembly,

a first electrically conductive member adapted to be supported in agrounded position, a second electrically conductive member,

first terminal means engageable with said first member to complete agrounded electrical circuit,

a second terminal means comprising multiple termi minal sectionsengageable with said second member to complete a non-grounded electricalcircuit, and

means for operatively supporting said terminal means for reeiprocablemovement toward and away from said first and second members.

2. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein `said means forsupporting said plunger membe-r compri-ses a support member having atubular portion mounted for axial adjustable movement relative to one ofsaid members.

3. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 which includes a bodymember adapted to be supported in a stationary grounded position, acontact element adjacent said body member but insulated electricallytherefrom, plunger means for supporting said terminal means for movementbetween open and closed positions, and means for urging said terminalmeans toward one of said positions.

4. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first membercomprises a body member adapted to be supported in a stationary groundedposition, which includes an elongated tubular support member, whereinsaid means for biasing said terminal means comprises a plunger memberreciprocal relative to said support member, which .includes terminalcarrying means for supporting said terminal means on said plungermember, and which further includes a contact member interposedl betweensaid terminal means and said support member.

S. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said contact memberdefines a recessed portion and wherein said first terminal means ismovable axially of said contact member through said recessed portion.

6. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first terminalmeans and said terminal sections of said second terminal means areequally circumferentially spaced around said terminal carrying meanswith said first terminal means being circumfetentially aligned with saidrecessed portion of said contact member, whereby axial movement of saidterminal carrying means toward said body member results in said firstterminal means moving axially through said recessed portion toward saidsupport member and said terminal sections of said second terminal meansmoving toward said contact member.

7. A switch assembly as set forth in clami 4 wherein said contact memberis supported on one end of said support member and is electricallyisolated therefrom.

8. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said terminalcarrying means comprises an elongated tubular sleeve portion extendingcircumjacent a portion of plunger member and interposed between saidplunger member and at least a portion of said support member.

9. A switch asembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said support memberis axially adjusatble relative to said body member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,646,477 7/ 1953 Herterick20G-61.81 XR 2,899,511 8/1959 Frazer ZOO-61.81 2,921,155' 1/1960 BassoZOO-159 XR 3,244,829 4/1966 Webb 200--61.62

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. H. BIURKS, Assistant Examiner.

